It’s one of the most famous shopping streets in the world.
But London’s Oxford Street could look very different by 2026 – if Sadiq Khan’s new plans are approved.
The Labour Mayor ignited a huge row today after the Government gave him new powers to force through a £150million pedestrianisation of Oxford Street.
Mr Khan wants work to start within two years to remove all vehicles from the famous shopping street – despite warnings it could become a crime-ridden ‘no-go area’.
So, what would a traffic-free Oxford Street look like? MailOnline asked AI for its predictions.
What would a traffic-free Oxford Street look like? MailOnline asked AI for its predictions
We asked ChatGPT to create an image of a pedestrianised Oxford Street.
Our prompt to the bot was simply: ‘Create an image of what London’s Oxford Street would look like if it was pedestrianised.’
ChatGPT’s image shows a central cobbled bank running through the middle of Oxford Street, with bike lanes on either side.
This central bank and the pavements are dotted with trees, chairs and tables, where people can be seen enjoying al-fresco dining.
Mr Khan has also released an artist’s impression of what a pedestrianised Oxford Street could look like.
Mr Khan has also released an artist’s impression of what a pedestrianised Oxford Street could look like
The proposal is part of a wider regeneration project which Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner claimed will give the popular shopping district ‘the boost it needs.
Poll
Should Oxford Street be pedestrianised?
- Yes 333 votes
- No 539 votes
Unlike ChatGPT’s image, Mr Khan’s image does not show any cyclists – with more details on plans for bikes awaited.
The proposal is part of a wider regeneration project which Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner claimed will give the popular shopping district ‘the boost it needs’.
But industry leaders are calling for ‘strong safety measures’ to accompany the plans, given there are fears it could increase crimes such as shoplifting and pickpocketing.
There are calls for more ‘adequate policing’ and improved public transport access, with evening revellers and particularly women possibly more at risk from no passing traffic – given regular buses and taxis can act as a deterrent to criminal activity.
Another artist’s impression of a pedestrianised Oxford Street from plans released in 2017
Oxford Street has suffered from big name exits in recent years, leaving boarded-up storefronts and a proliferation of tacky US-style sweet shops – but there are hopes it is finally bouncing back with the reopening of HMV and a forthcoming new Ikea.
The scheme aims to improve one of the world’s busiest shopping zones for workers, residents, shoppers and tourists in an area which has about 500,000 daily visitors.
Mr Khan wants to pedestrianise a 0.7-mile stretch between Oxford Circus and Marble Arch, with the potential for further changes towards Tottenham Court Road.
But the redevelopment is set to require 16 bus routes to be removed or diverted – including the 98 and 390 which run the full length of Oxford Street.
The Mayor hopes to reboot plans for a ‘traffic-free pedestrianised avenue’ similar to Times Square in New York, the Champs-Elysees in Paris and Barcelona’s Las Ramblas.
